Motor-propelled vehicle.



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APPLIUAI'LUi FILED NOV/1.1913.

Patented Nov. 3. 1914.

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8 mm; M10 1 R. H. NESMITH. MOTOR PROPELLED VEHICLE. APPLICATION FILEDNOV. 7, 1913.

Patented Nov, 3, 1914.

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MOTOR PROPBLLBD VEHICLE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 7. 1913.

1 1 1 6, 1 02. Patented Nov. 8, 1914.

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MOTOR PROPELLED VEHICLE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 7, 1m.

Patented Nov. 8, 1914.

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R. H. NESMITH.

MOTOR PROPELLED VEHICLE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 7. 1913.

1,1 1 6, 102, Patented Nov. 3, 1914.

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APPLICATION FILED NOV. 7. 1913.

Patented Nov. 3, 1914.

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APPLICATION FILED Nov. '1, 1913.

Patented Nov. 3, 1914.

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MOTOR PROPELLBD VEHICLE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 7, 1913.

1 1 1 6, 1 O2. Patented Nov. 3, 1914.

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5 Wuentoz $13 Elite 0142434 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RALPH H. NESMI'IH, 0F ELMIRA, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO AMERICAN-LA FRANCEFIRE ENGINE COMPANY, INC., OF ELMIRA, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEWYORK.

MOTDR-PBOPELLED VEHICLE.

1 116 102. Specification of Letters Patent. Patented N 3 1914Application filed November 7, 1918. Serial No. 798,780.

To all whom it may concern:

Be itknown that I, RALPH H. NESMITH, a citizen of the United States,residing at Elmira, in the county of Chemung and. in the State of NewYork, have invented certain new and useful Im rovements in M0-tor-Propelled Vehicles, 0 whichthe following is a full and clearspecification.

This invention relates to motor propelled vehicles having fixed axlesand in which. the power driven wheels are suitably connected with saidaxles to swing, about substantially vertical axes to permit the vehicleto be steered by means of the power driven wheels.

The primary object of this invention is to provide an improvedconstruction, combination and arrangement of parts in amotor drivenvehicle of this type, which will meet the practical requirements ofheavy trafiic under high speeds such for example as are met with inconnection with modern fire apparatus motor driven vehicles. It will beunderstood however, that while the underlying principles of the presentinvention are of peculiar advantage in connection with fire-engineapparatus and other heavy motor driven vehicles, they are alsoapplicable to automobiles in general.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide mechanism of improvedconstruction for transmitting power from a power plant suspended fromthe chassis to the drive wheels which are mounted to swing aboutsubstantially vertical axes adjacent the outer extremities of axleswhich are substantially fixed to the chassis.

A further object is to provide an improved means for adjusting therelative positions of certain portions of the said power transmittingmechanism for the purpose of securing and maintaining the highestpossible degree of efficiency 1n operation.

Another object is to provide an improved bearing block constructionwhich aflords an efiicient housing for the gears embodied in thetransmission mechanism referred to above.

Another object is to provide an improved adjustable connection betweenthe bearin block or transmission housing and thefixed bearings of thecross shafts, to be hereinafter referred to, and which cross shaftsreceive power from the power plant suspended on the chassis of the motorvehicle.

Other and further objects will appear in the specification and bepointed out in the appended claims, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings which exemplify the invention.

In the drawings,-Figure 1 is a side elevatlon of a motor fire engineembodying my improvements; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the forward portion0 the chassis, showing portlons of the power plant operating mechanismand steerin gear; Fig. 3 is a fragmentary front elevation of thechassis; Fig. 4 is a vertical section of the parts shown in Fig. 3,parts being broken away and parts shown in elevation; Fig. 5 is asection on the line VV, Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is a section on the line VI--VI,Fig. 4; Fig. 7 is a section on the line VII--VII, Fig. 4, the powerdriven sprocketbeing removed; Fig. 8 is a section on the line VIIIVIII,4; Fig. 9 is a section on the line IX-I Fi 4; Fig. 10 is a section onthe line X- ,i Fig. 4;

Fig. 11 is a section on the line XIXI, Fi 4; Fig. 12 is an end elevationcorrespond ing to the line XII-XII, Fig.4, with the hub cap removed;Fig. 13 is a detail view partly in elevation and partly in section ofone of the bearing caps, to be hereinafter referred to, in the lowerportion of Fi 4; Fig. 14 is a section on the line XIV IV, Fig. 3; Fig.15 is a section on the line XV-XV, Fig. 14; Fig. 16 is an end elevationof portions shown in Fig. 15.

In the embodiment of my invention shown on the drawings, an automobilefire engine is provided with a chassis, including the forward frame 1which is rigidly bolted to a rear frame 2. The power plant which issecured to the chassis includes a motor or engine 3, a shaft 4 which. issuitably connected with the transmission 5. Connected withthe'transmission 5 is a differential 6 for delivering power to the jackshafts 7, which in the present embodiment of my invention extendlaterally from said differential. Each of the jack shafts7carriesasprocket wheel 8 which transmits by a sprocket chain 9 to thesprocket wheel 10 mounted on a cross shaft 11.. Said cross shaft 11 isjournaled within a bearing box 12 which is secured to a rigid support ortie bar 14 which extends between the upper branch 15 and the lowerbranch 16 of a forked axle. Bearing lates 17 which are rigid with theupper and lower ends respectively of the support 14, abut directlyagainst the branches 15 and 16 of the forked axle and are rigidlysecured to said branches by the straps 18 and a conical. bolt 19. Theinner end of the box 12 is provided with an enlargement 20 within whichis mounted a race ring 21 for the balls 22 of a ball bearing. A bearingring 23 which is secured to the cylindrical portion 24 of the crossshaft 11, runs on the balls 22. Threaded to the portion 24 of the shaft11 is a ring 25 which is locked in position by a set screw 26. In thepresent embodiment, the cross shaft 11 is provided with a conicalportion 27 provided with a spline or feather 28 which is adapted to lockthe hub 29 of the sprocket 10 against rotation relatively to the crossshaft 11. A

nut 29 which is threaded to the nib 30 on the end of the shaft 11,serves to retain the sprocket 10 against displacement. The sprocket 10is provided with a packingring 31 for excluding the dust from the ballbearings just referred to. On its outer end, the

bearing box 12 is provided with another enlargement 32 within which ismovably arranged'a sleeve 33, said sleeve being provided on its innerend with a flange 34 and on its outer end having an adjusting annulus 35threaded thereto. By referring to Fig. 9, it will be seen that theflange 36 of'the threaded annulus 35, is provided with peripheralnotches 37 for the reception of a wrench or spanner, whereby the sleeve33 may be moved inwardly and outwardlyas the case may be, to adjust theposition of a race ring 38 which abuts against the flange 34, theraceway within the ring 38 serving to constrain the movements of theballs 39 which are disposed between the ring 38 and a bearing ring 40,.which is secured to the hub portion 41 of a bevel gear 42. Preferably,as shown on the drawin s, the bevel 42 forms an integral portion 0 theshaft 11. A retaining ring 43 which is threaded to the shaft 11 andlocked in position by a screw 44, serves to determine the position ofthe ring 40. A set screw 45 which is threaded into the wall of theenlargement 32, serves to lock the sleeve 33 in adjusted position. Thebevelgear 42 meshes with another bevel gear 46, which is keyed to avertical drive shaft 47, which rotates upon an axis coincident with theaxis about which the wheel swings during the steering operations of thevehicle, as will be hereinafter pointed out. Preferably integral withthe lower end of the drive shaft 47, is another bevel gear 48 whichmeshes with a bevel gear 49 which is carried by a shaft 50 journaled inthe dead journal 57 For this purpose, the gear 49 is provided with anannular flange or web 51 which is secured to a disk 52 by means of bolts53. Disk 52 is forced to rotate with the shaft 50, preferably by beingconstructed integral therethe disk 52 is a pinion 54 which is geared toa ring which is connected by a screw thread to the threaded portion 56of'the shaft 50. The ring 55 abuts laterally against a bearing race ring57 which is carried by the inner end of the shaft 50. The outer end ofthe shaft 50 is non-rotatably connected to a clutch disk '51, preferablyb having the squared outer end of said sha t inserted into an o enin'gof similar form in the center of thec utch disk51. As shown best in Fig.12, the clutch disk 51 is provided with radially arranged projections52' which interengage with the peripheral, segments 53', which projectoutwardly from the hollow hub 54 of the wheel.

A hollow bearing 'boxorhousing 55 which is mounted to swing about theaxis of the drive shaft 47 in the manner tobe hereinafter pointed .out,has secured thereto by 'means of the bolts 56, a journal member57 -whichserves ,to mount the wheel hub 54 by means of the timken bearings 58. Inorder to mount the hollow bearing block 55 so as to swing about the axisof the drive shaft 47 a plurality of timken rollers 59 are/arrangedconcentrically about 'the axis of said shaft and intermediately to theouter end of the upper branch 15 of the forked axle and a journal postor trunnion 60,

which is provided with a bearing ring 61. The journal post 60 isconnected to the top wall of the bearing box, 55 by means of a pluralityof dowels 62, said dowels being mounted in the base flange 63 of saidjournal post. Depending from the base flange 63 is a. cylindricalportion 64 within which is reciprocably mounted a sleeve 65 with aninturned top flange 66, which engages a race ring 67 for the balls 68which travel .between it and the bearing ring 69 which is mounted uponthe upper journal 70 ofthe drive shaft 47. Suitable and eflicient meansmay be provided for adjusting the upper ball bearing just described, byproviding the sleeve 65 with external screw threads for the reception ofan adjustment ring 71, which will impart an upward or downward movementto the race ring 67 whenever the threaded ring 71 is'turned. Anotherring 72 is threaded to the lower exterior wall of the cylindricalportion 64, said ring being thereby adapted to be moved into snugfitting contact with the top wall'of the bearing box 55. From aninspection of Fig. 6, it will be seen that the bearing ring 71 isprovided with a plurality of peripheral notches 73, adapting said ringsto be adjusted by means of a wrench or spanner. Similarly the ring 7 2is provided with notches 74 for the same purpose. Referring now to thelower portion of Fig. 4, the lower end of the drive shaft 47 is providedwith a journal 75 which carries a bearing ring 76. Interposed betweenthe bearing ring 76 and a race ring 77 are balls 78 Threaded upon thereduced portion 79 at the lower end of shaft 47 is a nut 80 betweenwhich and the journal is interposed a washer 81 which extends laterallyunderneath the bearing ring 76. The nut together with thereduced'portion 79 bears directly upon a base block 82 which preferablyconstitutes an integral portion of the retainer cup 83, shown in detailin Fig. 13. By an inspection of Fig. 13 it will be noted that said cup83 is provided with an interior recess 84 within which the race ring 77is adapted to be seated. Immediately below the annular recess 84 aninteriorly threaded portion is adapted to receive an exteriorly threadedring 86, said ring 86 being provided interiorly with gear teeth as shownmore clearly at 87 in Fig. 10. J ournaled within one edge of the ring 86is a small pinion 88 which carries a slotted head 89 which is adapted toreceive a screw driver. It will be seen therefore, that by rotating thepinion 88 within the retaining cup, a rotary movement will be impartedto the ring 86, with the result that said ring 86, together with therace ring 77, will be adjusted up or down to correspond with thedirection of rotation of the gear pinion 88. In addition to thisrelative adjustment of the rings 76 and77, an adjustment of the earingas a whole is made possible by an annulus 90, which is threaded to theupper edge of the retaining cup 83. Said ring 90 has its lower faceslidably engaging the lower end of the hollow bearing block 55, and isprovided with peripheral notches 91, as shown in Fig. 8. The lower endof the bearing block 55' is supported by the lower branch 16 of theforked axle by means of the following device. Said lower branch 16 isprovided at its outer end with an annular strap or sleeve 92, withinwhich the retaining cup 83 is slidably mounted. On the block 82 of theretaining cup 83 is pro-' vided a bearing ring 93 between which and aconical race ring 91 are interposed a plurality of timken rollers 95.The race ring 94 is supported within an annular recess within a bushing96 which is threaded to the inner cylindrical wall of the sleeve orannulus 92 on the end of said lower branch .16. A cap 97 serves to closea bottom opening in the sleeve or annulus 92. In order to permit theswinging movements of the bearing box 55, together with the wheelcarried thereon, while at the same time maintaining a dust-proof housingfor the drive shaft 47 and gears 42-46-l8 and 49,

as well as the parts contiguous thereto, I

preferably employ the following construc tion for the inner wall of thebearing box or housing 55'. Said inner wall comprises an upper shell 98and a lower shell 99, said shells being secured together by suitablefastening, such as the bolts 100.

By an inspection of F ig.4, it will be noted that the cylindricalenlargement 32 of the bearing box 12 has mounted thereon, thecylindrical sleeve or shell portion 101 of a shutter which slidesrelativelyto the upper shell 98 when the bearing blockor housing 7 55 isoscillated on the axis of shaft 47. Projecting forwardly and rearwardlyof the sleeve or cylindrical portion 101, are a pair of wings or shields102 which are curtailed in length so as not to unnecessarily limit theswinging movements of the wheel. In order, however, to maintain a closehousing' during the swinging movements of the wheel, a second shutter orshield 103 is pro vided which is slidably mounted in a groove track orrunway 104, and has its inside face bearing against the outside face ofthe wings or shields 102. Said shutter or shield 103 extends for agreater distance on opposite sides of the cylindrical portion 32 of the86 hearing 12, than do the wings or shields 102 of the first mentionedshutter. The second shutter 103, however, is provided with an elon atedopening 105 as seen in Fig. 14. It Wlll be seen therefore, that wheneverthe wheel is swung about the axis of the shaft 47 in steering thevehicle, the shutter comprising the wings or shields 102 will serve toclose the elongated opening 105 in the shutter103, whatever the relativeangular position of the two shutters may be. a At the same time, theinner shutter being of less length, will not impede the swingingmovements of the wheel, while the greater length of the outer shutter103 will not im- 100 pede the swinging movement within certain desirablelimits, since it will not be shifted in position until after said wheelhas been swung through a large portion of its stcering movement.

As indicated on Figs. 2, 3 and 4, the hereinbefore described driving andsteering mechanism is, in the present embodiment of my invention,embodied on opposite sides of the chassis The same idea may, of course,be embodied on the rear end of the chassis, as well as on the forwardend thereof, but inasmuch as such a construction would be very similarto the one already shown and described, the foregoing descrip- 1 5 t onwill suffice to make this application clear. Referring now to Fig. 2,the steering gear as a whole will be made evident. Thus each of thewheels 106 is journaled upon the box journals 57 which project laterallyfrom the bearing box in the manner hereinbefore described. As shown inFig. 2, each of the bearing boxes 55 is provided with a forwardlyprojecting bracket 107, said brackets being positively connected bymeans of an inextensible bar or rod 108, which therefore causes thesteering movements of one wheel to be transmitted to the other wheel.Projecting rearwardly from one of the bearing boxes 55 is a bracket arm109, to which one end of a connecting rod 110 is pivotally connected.The other end of said connecting rod 110 is pivotally connected toalever arm 111, which is carried by the lower end of the steering post112. From an inspection of Figs. 1 and 2, it will be seen that the frame1 1S supported from the forked axle by means of leaf springs 113, whichbear directly upon the upper branch 15 of said axle. The

outer ends of the spring 113 are connected bylinks 114 with the frame 1.

The various adjustments, method of operation, and advantages to besecured by my invention, will now be understood.

Referrin first to Fig. 4, I have found the most e ective procedure inadjusting the relative positions of the parts in be as follows: First,to adjust therelations between the bevel gears 48 and 49; this may bedone as follows; The ball bearings including rings 76 and 77 having beenadjusted by means of the adjusting ring 86 which is turned by the pinion88, the vertical posi tion of the-bearing as a whole is next ad justedby rotating ring 90 which raises and lowers the retaining cup 83. Theadjustment between the bevel gears 48 and 49 having been partiallyaccomplished by this means, the position of the bevel gear 49 is nextaccomplished by means of the pinion 54 which rotates the ring 55 andserves to move the gear 49 to the right or left as may be desired.Should it then be found necessary to adjust the upper bearing of thedrive shaft 47 the relative positions of the rings 67 and 69 areadjusted by means of the adjusting ring 71, which serves to move thering 64 vertically. During or after this adj ustment, it will benecessary to adjust the po sition of the slack take-up ring 7 2 whichwill then be made to fit snugly against the inner.

surface of the top wall of the bearing box or housing 55. The nextadjustment in order will then be the bevel gear 42 on the cross shaft 11with respect to the bevel gear 46. For this purpose, the ring 35 may berotated to move the race ring 38 to the right or left with respect tothe bearing ring 40 to properly set the bevel gear 42. The inner end ofthe shaft 11 must then be adjusted to bring about a proper relationshipbetween the race ring 21 and the bearing ring 23. The position of thelatter is controlled by means of the adjusting ring 25 which serves thispurpose.

By means of the construction-shown on .Fig. 4, the sprocket wheel whichreceives its power from the jack shaft 7, is insured a snug fit upon theinner end of the shaft 11, by means of the conical end 27 with thefeather 28 and the nut 29. The construction of the inner wall of thebearing box or housing 55' has already been fully described withreference to the swinging movements of the wheels. In'addition thereto,the con struction of said inner wall permits ready access to the upperand lower bearings of the drive shaft 47. It will be seen furthermorethat the branches 15 and 16 of the forked axle are releasably connectedtogether by means of the support or tie bars 14 on either side and bmeans of a central connecting bracket 11 It will be seen from aninspection of Fig. 4 that the adjustments of the lower and upper shaftbearings can be effected through the open rear wall of the housing orbearing box 55', as well as the adjustments connected with the bevelgear 49'through the agency of the pinion 54.

What I claim is:

1. In a motor driven vehicle, an axle comprising spaced branches, ahollow bearing block journaled in the outer ends of said branches, ashaft journaled within said hollow bearing block and coaxially with thefirst said axle, a support or tie bar connecting said branches a crossshaft journaled therein and geared to the first said shaft, a wheelrotatably mounted on said bearing block, and means for connecting thefirst said shaft to said-wheel.

2. In a motor driven vehicle, an axle provided with spaced branches, ahollow hearing block journaled in said branches, a hollow journalprojecting from the outer wall of said bearing block,,a wheel on saidhollow journal, a shaft journaled in said hollow journal and connectedto said wheel, a shaft journaled in said bearing block and having oneend geared to the shaft in said journal, and a cross shaft geared to theother end of said shaft in the hollow bearing block, said hollowbearingblock being provided with an extended wall completely inclosingthe geared connections between said shafts.

3. In a motor driven vehicle,-an axle provided with spaced branches, ahollow bearing block journaled in said branches, a hollow journalprojecting from the outer wall 'of said bearing block, a wheel on saidhollow journal, ashaft journaled in said 1101- low journal and connectedto said wheel, a shaft journaled in said bearing block and having oneend geared to the shaft in said journal, and a cross shaft geared to theother end of said shaft in the hollow bearing block, said hollow bearingblock being provided with an extended Wall completely inclosing thegeared connections between said shafts, said extended Wall beingprovided with an opening through which the cross shaft extends and anadjustable closure therefor.

4. In a motor driven vehicle, the combination of an axle having spacedbranches, the outer ends of said branches being provided with coaxiallyarranged bearings,

bearing members comprising journals rotatably mounted in said bearingsrespectively and bearing rings presented inwardly toward each other, ahollow bearing block provided with coaxial openings which are filled bysaid bearing rings respectively, a hollow journal projecting from theouter wall of said bearing block, a wheel journaled thereon, a shaft insaid hollow journal connected to said wheel, a shaft having its oppositeends journaled in said bearing rings respectively, geared connections between said shafts, and means for driving said shaft in the hollowbearing block.

5. In a motor driven vehicle, a power plant carried by said vehicle, ashaft driven by said power plant, a transmission shaft geared to saiddriven shaft, a housing inclosing said transmission shaft, ,said housingbeing suitably mounted to swing about the axis of said transmissionshaft and having an opening for accommodating said driven shaft, aclosure for said opening, an axle fixed to the outer 'all of saidhousing, a wheel journaled on saidaxle, and a shaft journaled withinsaid axle and having its opposite ends geared respectively to said wheeland transmission shaft, said closure comprising a shutter supported onthe wall of said housing and having an elongated opening therein, and afixed shutter closing said elongated opening.

6. In a motor driven vehicle, the combination of an axle having spacedbranches, the outer ends of said branches being provided with coaxiallyarranged bearings, bearing members comprising journals rotatably mountedin said bearings respectively, and bearing rings presented inwardly to'ard each other, a hollow bearing block provided with coaxial openingswhich are filled by said bearing rings respectively, a hollow journalprojecting from the outer wall of said bearing block. a wheel journaledthereon, a shaft in said hollow journal connected to said wheel, a shafthaving its opposite ends journaled in said bearing rings respectively.geared connections between said shafts, and means for driving said shaftin the hollow bearing block, one of said bearing rings being providedwith means for imparting an axial adjustment to the shaft journaledtherein.

7. In a motor driven vehicle, a ower plant carried by said vehicle, ashaft riven by said power plant, a transmission shaft geared to saiddriven shaft, a housing in closing said transmission shaft, said housingbeing suitably mounted to swing about the axis of said transmissionshaft and having an opening for accommodating said driven shaft, aclosure for said opening, an axle fixed to the outer wall of saidhousing, a wheel journaled on said axle, and a shaft opposite endsgeared respectively to said wheel and transmission shaft, said closurecomprising a shutter supported on the wall of said housing and having anelongated opening therein, and a fixed shutter closing said elongatedopening, the first said shutter being movably mounted on the wall ofsaid housing.

8. In a motor driven vehicle, the combination of an axle having spacedbranches, the outer ends of said branches being provided with coaxiallyarranged bearings, bearing members comprising journals rotatably mountedin said bearings respectively, and bearing rings presented inwardlytoward each other, a hollow bearing block provided with coaxial openingswhich are filled by said bearing rings respectively, a hollow journalprojecting from the outer wall of said bearing block, a wheel journaledthereon, a shaft in said hollow journal connected to said wheel, a shafthaving its opposite ends journaled in said bearing rings respectively,geared connections between said shafts, and means for driving said shaftin the hollow bearing block, one of said hearing rings being providedwith means for imparting an axial adjustment to the shaft journaledtherein, said adjusting means comprising an annulus threaded to one ofsaid bearing rings, said annulus being slidably mounted on thelower wallof said bearing block.

9. Ina motor driven vehicle, the combination of an axle having spacedbranches, the outer ends of said branches being provided with coaxiallyarranged bearings, bearing members comprising journals rotatably mountedin said bearings respectively and bearing rings presented inwardlytoward each other. a hollow bearing block provided with coaxial openingswhich are filled by said bearing rings respectively, a hollow journalprojecting from the outer wall of said bearing block, a wheel journaledthereon, a shaft in said hollow journal connected to said wheel, a shafthaving its opposite ends journaled in said bearing rings respectively,geared connections between sa d shafts, and means for driving said shaftin the hollow bearing block, one of said bearings beingprovided withrelatively adjustable race rings and means for adjusting one of saidrace rings relatively to the other.

10. In a motor driven vehicle, the combination of an axle having spacedbranches. the outer ends of said branches being provided" with coaxiallyarranged bearings, bearing members comprising journals rotatably mountedin said bearings respectively and bearing rings presented inwardlytoward each other, a hollow bearing block provided with coaxial openingswhich are filled by said bearing rings res wctlvely, a

journaled within said axle and havingits hollow journal pro ecting fromthe outer shafts,

wall of said bearing block, a wheel journaled thereon, a shaft in saidhollow journal connected to said wheel, a shaft having its opposite endsjournaled in said bearing rings respectively, geared connections betweensaid shafts, a rotatable ring threaded to the inner wall of the bearingring-of one of said bearing members, a race ring supported by saidrotatable ring, another race ring surrounding the journal, and means forrotating said rotatable ring to adjust the relative position of saidrace rings, and anti-friction elements disposed between said race rings,and means for driving said shaft journaled in the hollow bearing block.

11. In a motor driven vehicle, the combination of an axle having spacedbranches, the outer ends of said branches being provided with coaxiallyarranged bearings, bearing members comprising journals rotatably mountedin said bearings respectively and bearing rings presented inwardlytoward each other, a hollow bearing block provided with coaxial openingswhich are filled by said bearings rings respectively, a hollow journalprojecting from the outer wall of said bearing block, a wheel journaledthereon, a shaft in said hollow journal connected to said wheel, a shafthaving its opposite ends journaled in said bearing rings respectively,geared connections between said and means for driving said shaft in thehollow bearing block, sald geared connections comprising gears connectedto said shafts respectively and means for axially adjusting said shaftin the hollow journal.

12. In a motor driven vehicle, the combination of an axle having spacedbranches, the outer ends of said branches being provided with coaxiallyarranged bearings, bearing members comprising journals rotatably mountedin said bearings respectively and bearing rings presented inwardlytoward each other, a hollow bearing block provided with coaxial openingswhich are filled by said bearing rings respectively, a

hollow journal projecting from the outerwall of said bearing block, awheel journaled thereon, a shaft in said hollow journal connected tosaid wheel, a shaft having its opposite ends journaled in said bearingrings respectively, geared connections between said shafts, and meansfor driving said shaft in the hollow bearing block, said gearedconnections comprisin gears connected to 'said shafts respective y andmeans for axially adjusting said shaft in the hollow journal, saidadjusting means including a gear ring threaded to said shaft and inabutment with a member which is supported against axial displacementalong the shaft in said journal, and a pinion ournaled in the journalshaft gear and meshing with said pinion.

13. In a motor driven vehicle, the combination of a chassis, a powerplant mounted thereon, a cross shaft journaled on a substantially fixedaxis, said cross shaft being connected to said power plant, a driveshaft to which said cross shaft delivers power, a power-driven steeringwheel mounted to swing about the axis of said drive shaft, a housing forsaid drive shaft upon which said steering wheel is journaled, saidhousing being provided with an opening for accommodating said crossshaft, and a closure for said opening adapted to completely close saidopening'for all positions of said steering wheel, said closurecomprising relatively movable portions.

14. In a motor driven vehicle, the combination of a chassis, a powerplant mounted thereon, a cross shaft journaled on a substantially fixedaxis, said cross shaft being connected to said power plant, a driveshaft to which said cross shaft delivers power, a power-driven steeringwheel mounted to swing about the axis of said drive shaft, a housing forsaid drive shaft upon which said steering, wheel is journaled, saidhousing being provided with an opening for accommodating said crossshaft, and a closure for said opening adapted to completely close saidopening for all positions of said steering wheel, said closurecomprising relatively movable portions, respectively capable ofdifferent degrees of movement.

15. In a motor driven vehicle, the combination of a chassis, a powerplant mounted thereon, a cross shaft journaled on a substantially fixedaxis, said cross shaft being connected to said power plant, a driveshaft to which said cross shaft delivers power, a power-driven steeringwheel, a housing mounted to swing about the axis of said drive shaft andupon which said steering wheel is journaled, said housing bein providedwith an opening for accommo ating said cross shaft, and a closure forsaid opening adapted to completely close said opening for all positionsof said steering wheel, said closure including a shutter which partakesof a portion only of the movement of said housing.

16. In a motor driven vehicle, the combination of a chassis, a powerplant mounted thereon, a cross shaft journaled on a substantially fixedaxis, said cross shaft being connected to said power plant, a driveshaft to which said cross shaft delivers power, a power-driven steeringwheel mounted to swing about the axis of said drive shaft, a housing forsaid drive shaft upon which said steering wheel is journaled, saidhousing being provided with an opening for accommodatlng said crossshaft, and a closure for said opening adapted to completely close saidopening for all positions of said steering wheel, said closure includinga shutter with an elongated opening therein, and 130 means for closingsaid opening in the shutter.

17. In a motor driven vehicle, the combination of a chassis, a powerplant mounted thereon, a cross'shaft journaled on a substantially fixedaxis, said cross shaft being connected to said power plant, a driveshaft to which said cross shaft delivers power, a power-driven steeringwheel mounted to swing about the axis of said drive shaft, a housing forsaid drive shaft upon which said steering wheel is journaled, saidhousing being provided with an opening for accommodating said crossshaft, and a closure for said opening adapted to completely close saidopening for all positions of said steering wheel, said closure includinga shutter having an opening therein elongated to correspond with aportion of the possible angular displacement of said housing, and asecond shutter adapted to close said opening in the first shutter.

18. In a motor driven vehicle, the combination of a chassis, a powerplant mounted thereon, a cross shaft journaled on a substantially fixedaxis, said cross shaft being connected to said power plant, a driveshaft to which said cross shaft delivers power, a power-driven steeringwheel mounted to swing about the axis of said drive shaft, a housing forsaid drive shaft upon which said steering wheel is journaled, saidhousing being provided with an opening for accommodating said crossshaft, and a closure for said opening adapted to completely close saidopening forall positions of said steering wheel, said closure includinga shutter having an opening therein elongated to correspond with aportion of the possible angular displacement of said housing, and asecond shutter adapted to close said opening in the firstshutter, thefirst said shutter being slidably mounted to permit an additionalangular movement over and above that permitted by said opening therein.

19. In a motor driven vehicle, the combination of a chassis, a powerplant mounted thereon, a cross shaft journaled on a substantially fixedaxis, said cross shaft being connected to said power plant, a driveshaft to which said cross shaft delivers power, a power-driven steeringwheel mounted to swingabout the axis of said drive shaft, a housing forsaid drive shaft upon which said steering wheelis journaled, saidhousing being provided with an opening for ac,- commodating said crossshaft, and a closure for said opening adapted to completely close saidopening for all positions of said steering wheel, said closure includingrelatively movable shutters.

20. In a motor driven vehicle, the combination of a chassis, a powerplant mounted thereon, a cross shaft journaled on a substantially fixedaxis, said cross shaft being,

'upon a vertical connected to said power plant, a drive shaft to whichsaid cross shaft delivers power, a power-driven steering wheel mountedto swing about the axis of said drive shaft, a housing for said driveshaft upon 'hich said steering wheel is journaled, said housing beingprovided with an opening for accommodating said cross shaft, and aclosure for said opening adapted to completely close said opening forall positions of said steering wheel, said housing bein provided with atrack or guide arranged adjacent the opening therein, and a shutterslidably mounted on said track or guide and constituting a portion ofsaid closure.

21. In a motor driven vehicle, the combination of a chassis, a powerplant mounted thereon, a bearing arranged transversely of said chassis,a cross shaft journaled in said bearing, said cross shaft beingconnected to said power plant, a drive shaft to which said cross shaftdelivers power, a housing for said drive shaft, said housing beingprovided with a journal projecting therefrom, an opening therein toaccommodate said bearing, and a wheel mounted on said journal, saidwheel being driven by said drive shaft, a guide or track arrangedadjacent said opening, a shutter slidably mounted on said guide ortrack, and a second shutter mounted on said bearing.

22. In a motor driven vehicle, the combination of a chassis, a powerplant mounted thereon, a bearing arranged transversely of said chassis,a cross shaft journaled in said bearing, said cross shaft beingconnected to said power plant, a drive shaft to which said cross shaftdelivers power, a housing for said drive shaft, said housing beingprovided with a journal, projecting therefrom, and an opening therein toaccommodate said bearing, a wheel mounted on said journal, said wheelbeing driven by said drive shaft, a guide or track arranged adjacentsaidopening, a shutter slidably mounted on said guide or track, and a secondshutter mounted on said bearing, one of said shutters being providedwith an elongated opening which is covered by the other said shutter.

23. In a motor driven vehicle, the combi nation of a chassis, a powerplant mounted thereon, a drive shaft mounted to rotate upon a verticalaxis, a steering wheel mounted to swing about said vertical axis, ashaft fortransmitting power from the drive shaft to said wheel,intermeshing gears mounted respectively on said shafts, and means foradjusting one of said gears relatively to the other one.

24. In a motor driven vehicle, the combination of a ohassis,a powerplant mounted thereon, a drive shaft mounted to rotate axis, a steeringwheel mounted to swing about said vertical axis, a shaft fortransmitting power from the drive shaft to said wheel, intermeshinggears mounted respectively on said shafts, and means for adjusting oneof said gears relatively to the other one, said adjusting meansincluding a fixed member, a movable member connected thereto by screwthreads, and means for rotating said movable member to adjust said gear.

In a motor driven vehicle, the combination of a chassis, a power plantmounted thereon, a drive shaft mounted to rotate upon a vertical axis, asteering wheel mounted to swing about said vertical axis, a shaft fortransmitting power from the drive shaft to said wheel, intermeshinggears mounted respectively on said shafts, and means for adjusting oneof said gears relatively to the other one, said adjusting meansincluding a fixed support, a movable support, and a ring rotatablymounted on said fixed support and threaded to said movable support.

26. In a motor driven vehicle, the combination of a chassis, a powerplant mounted thereon, a drive shaft mounted to rotate upon a verticalaxis, a steering Wheel mounted to swing about said vertical axis, ashaft for transmitting power from the drive shaft to said wheel,intermeshing gears mounted respectively on said shafts, and means foradjusting one of said gears relatively to the other one, said adjustingmeans including a retainer cup which movably supports the movable gear,a fixed support, and a ring rotatably mounted on said fixed support andconnected by screw threads with said retainer cup.

27. a motor driven vehicle, the combination bf a chassis, a power plantmounted thereon, a drive shaft mounted to rotate upon a vertical axis, asteering wheel mounted to swing about said vertical axis, a shaft fortransmitting power from the drive shaft to said wheel, intermeshinggears mounted respectively on said shafts, and means for adjusting oneof said gears relatively to the other one, said adjusting meansincluding a retainer cup which movably supports the movable gear, afixed support, and a ring rotatably mounted on said fixed support andconnected by screw threads with said retainer cup, said ring beingprovided with peripheral notches adapting'it to be rotated by a wrenchor spanner.

28. In a motor driven vehicle, the combination of a chassis, a driveshaft rotatable about a vertical axis, a power plant mounted on saidchassis and connected to said drive shaft, a steering wheel mounted toswing about the axis of said drive shaft and having driving connectiontherewith, a bearing for said drive shaft embodying relatively movablebearing rings, a rigid support, a movable support threaded to said fixedsupport and supporting one of said bearing rings, and means for rotatingsaid movable support to adjust the position of the hearing ringsupported thereby.

29. In a motor driven vehicle, the combination of a chassis, a driveshaft rotatable about a vertical axis, a power plant mounted on saidchassis, and connected to said drive shaft, a steering wheel mounted toswing about the axis of said drive shaft and having driving connectiontherewith, a bearing for said drive shaft embodying relatively movablebearing rings,a rigid support, a movable support threaded to said fixedsupport and supporting one of said bearing rin s, and means for rotatingsaid movable support to adjust the position of the bearing ringsupported thereby, said rotating means comprising a pinion geared tosaid rotary support.

30. In a motor-driven vehicle, the combination of a chassis, a powerplant mounted thereon, a hollow bearing block pivotally connected tosaid chassis on a substantially vertical axis, a shaft within saidbearing block and coaxial with the pivotal axis thereof, means fortransmitting power from said power plant ,to said shaft, a hollow deadjournal projecting outwardly from said bearing block, a wheel journaledthereon, a shaft journaled in said dead journal and connected to saidwheel, said shaft being movable axially in said dead journal, a memberrelatively to which such axial movement may be made, a ring threaded tosaid shaft and abutting against said member, inter-meshing gears carriedby said shafts respectively, and means for angularly moving said ring toimpart an axial movement to the shaft in said dead journal.

31. In a motor-driven vehicle, the combination of a chassis, a powerplant mounted thereon, a hollow bearing block pivotally connected tosaid chassis on a substantially vertical axis, a shaft within saidbearing block and coaxial with the pivotal axis thereof, means fortransmitting power from said power plant to said shaft, a hollow deadjournal projecting outwardly from said bearing block, a wheel journaledthereon, a shaft journaled in saiddead journal and connected to saidwheel, said shaft being movable axially in said dead journal, a memberrelatively to which such axial movement may be made, a ringthreaded tosaid shaft and abutting against said member, intermeshing gears carriedby said shafts respectively, and means for angularly moving said ringitoimpart an axial movement to the shaft in said dead ournal, said meanscomprising a pinion journaledin -the gear in the shaft journaled in saiddead journal, said ring being provided with gear teeth intermeshing withsaid pinion.

32. In a motor-driven vehicle, the comm-11 nation of a chassis, a powerplant mounted thereon, a hollow bearing block pivotally connected tosaid chassis on a substantially vertical axis, a shaft within saidbearing block and coaxial with the pivotal axis thereof, means fortransmitting power from said power plant to said shaft, a hollow deadjournal projecting outwardly from said bearing block, a wheeljournaledthereon, a shaft journaled in saiddead journal and connected tosaid wheel, said shaft being mo able axially in said dead journal, agear mounted on the end of said axially movable shaft within said hollowblock, a member relatively to which said shaft is axially movable, aring abutting against said member and suitably connected to said shaftto impart an axial adjustment to said shaft, andmeans carried by saidgear for moving said ring, said gear being geared to the vertical shaftin said bearing block.

33. In a motor driven vehicle, the combination of a chassis, a powerplant mounted thereon, a hollow bearing block pivotally connected tosaid chassis on a substantially vertical axis, a shaft within saidbearing block and coaxial with the pivotal axis thereof, means fortransmitting power from said power plant to said shaft, a hollow deadjournal projecting outwardly from said bearing block, a wheel journaledthereon, a shaft journaled in said dead journal and connected to saidwheel, said shaft being movable axially in said dead journal, a disksecured to the end of said axially movable shaft within said journal, agear ring threaded to said shaft for imparting an axial adjustmentthereto, a race ring on said shaft in lateral abutment with said gearring, a pinion journaled in said disk and geared to said ring gear, andintermeshing gears mounted on said disk and vertical shaft respectively.

34. In a motor driven vehicle, the combination of a chassis, a powerplant mounted thereon, a hollow bearing block pivotally connected tosaid chassis on a substantially vertical axis, a shaft within saidbearing block and coaxial with the pivotal axis thereof, means fortransmitting power from said power plant to said shaft, a hollow deadjournal projecting outwardly from said bearing block, a wheel journaledthereon, a shaft journaled in said dead journal and connected to saidwheel, said shaft being movable axially in said dead journal, a disksecured to the end of said axially movable shaft within said journal,agear ring threaded to said shaft for imparting an axial ad-,

justment thereto, a race ring on said shaft in lateral abutment withsaid gear ring, a pinion journaled in said disk and geared to said ringgear, and intermeshing gears mounted on said disk and vertical shaftrespeetively, said hollow bearing box being provided with a movable wallpermitting access to said pinion for effecting such adjustment.

In a motor driven vehicle, the combinationjof a chassis, a power plantmounted thereon, a hollow bearing block pivotally connected to saidchassis, on a substantially vertical axis, a shaft within said bearingblock and coaxial with-Rthe pivotal axis thereof, means for transmittingpower from said power plant to said shaft, a hollow dead journalprojecting outwardly from said bearing block, a wheel journaled thereon,a shaft journaled in said dead journal and connected to said wheel, saidshaftbeing movable axially in said dead journal, a disk secured to theend of said axially movable shaft within said journal,a gearringthreaded to said shaft for imparting an axial adjustment thereto. arace ring on said shaft in lateral abutment with said gear ring, apinion journaled in said disk and geared to said gear ring, andintermeshing gears mounted on said disk and vertical shaft respectively,said wheel and shaft in the dead journal being provided with means formaintaining their operating connection for different axial adjustmentsof said shaft.

36. In a motor driven vehicle, the combination of a chassis, a powerlant mounted thereon, a hollow bearingvb ock pivotally connected to saidchassis on a vertical axis, said bearing block being provided with ahollow dead journal projecting outwardly and an inwardly presentedremovable wall, a wheel mounted on said journal, a shaft journaledwithin said journal and connected to said wheel. power transmissionmecha nism within said hollow block adapted to deliver power to saidshaft, means for connecting said power plant to said power transmittingmechanism, means for moving said shaft axially to adjust it relativelyto said power transmission mechanism, said shaft moving means includingan element adjustable from within said hollow block, and a removablecover for said hollow block for permitting access to said element.

37. In a motor driven vehicle, the combination of a chassis, a powerplant mounted thereon, a hollow bearing block pivotally connected tosaid chassis on a vertical axis, said bearing block being provided witha hollow dead journal projecting outwardly and an inwardly presentedremovable wall, a wheel mounted on said journal, a shaft journaledwithin said journal and connected to said wheel, power transmissionmechanism within said hollow block adapted to deliver power to saidshaft, means for connecting said power plant to said power transmittingmechanism. means for moving said shaft axially to adjust it relativelyto said power transmission mechanism, said shaft movin means includingan element 'tutiiw a ortion of said means adjustable from within saidhollow block, a cover wall for said hollow block constructed inseparately removable sections, one of said sections permitting access tosaid element and the other of said sections being provided with anopening, a cross shaft extending through said opening and constiforconnecting the power plant with said power transmitting mechanism, and aclosure for said opening.

38. In a motor driven vehicle, a chassis, a power lant thereon, a hollowbearing block pivote thereto on a vertical axis, a cross shaft rotatablymounted on said chassis and projecting into said hollow block, a wheeljournaled on said hollow block, poiver transmission mechanism arrangedwithin said hollow block for transmitting power from said cross shaft tosaid wheel, and meansfor imparting an axial adjustment to said crossshaft including a race ring and an element abutting against said racering and movably engaging said cross shaft.

39. In a motor driven vehicle, a chassis, a power plant thereon, ahollow bearing block pivoted thereto on a vertical axis, a wheelrotatably mounted on said hollow bearing block, a cross shaft rotatablymounted on said chassis and projecting into said hollow block, powertransmitting mechanism arranged within said hollow block fortransmitting power from said cross shaft to said wheel, a bearinghousing for said cross shaft provided with an enlargement, a sleevereciprocable in said enlargement, and an antifriction bearing comprisingrace rings, one of said race rings being in engagement with saidreciprocable sleeve.

40. In a motor driven vehicle, a chassis, a power plant thereon, ahollow bearing block pivoted thereto on a vertical axis, a wheelrotatably mounted on said hollow bearing block, a cross shaft rotatablymounted on said chassis, and projecting into said hollow block, powertransmitting mechanism arranged within said hollow block fortransmitting power from said cross shaft to said wheel, a bearinghousing for said cross shaft provided with an enlargement, asleevereciprocable in said enlargement, an'anti-friction bearingcomprising race rings, one of said race rings being in engagement withsaid reciprocable sleeve, and a notched ring threaded to the exterior.wall of said sleeve and abutting against said enlargement.

41. In a motor driven vehicle, an axle having spaced branches, a hollowbearing block journaled in said branches to'swing about an axis, a shaftjournaled within said block coaxially with said axis, a cross shaftgeared to said shaft, the wall of said bearing block being provided withan opening through which said cross shaft extends, a shutter movablymounted to adjustably cover said opening, said shutter being providedwith an opening for permitting a limited degree of relative movementbetween said cross shaft and shutter, a second shutter mounted on saidshaft to close the opening in the first said shutter, a Wheel journaledon said bearing block, and means for connecting said wheel to the shaftwithin said bearing block.

42. In a motor driven vehicle, the combination with a chassis, of aforked axle having spaced branches, a closed transmission housingjournaled in said branches, said housing being provided with aninwardlypresented'opening, a shaft journaled on a fixed axis andextending through said opening, an outwardly-presented dead journalmounted on said housing, a wheel journaled on said dead journal, a livespindle journaled in said dead journal and geared to said wheel, andtransmission mechanism within said housing for transmitting power fromsaid shaft to said live spindle.

RALPH H. NESMITH.

Witnesses:

JAMES R. CLARKE, WM. A. COURTLAND.

